4 WV govs, Canada sign MOA for P18M tourism projects

CEBU, Philippines – Four governors in Western Visayas on Friday signed in Iloilo City a memorandum of agreement with the Government of Canada for the implementation of the P18 million worth of tourism development projects in the region.

Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental, Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, Exequiel Javier of Antique and Florencio Miraflores of Aklan signed the MOA with Luke Myers, head of aid of the Canadian Embassy's Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development.

Javier, Miraflores and Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, however, sent their representatives for the signing.

Under the MOA, Negros Occidental is set to receive P6 million grant for the mainstreaming public-private economic initiatives, which centers on establishing historical and cultural heritage attractions in the cities of Bacolod, Talisay and Silay.

The initiative is to develop the Bacolod-Talisay-Silay heritage corridor as the major hub for culture, creativity and innovation for tourism circuit development.

In Iloilo, the project focuses its efforts in rebuilding economic opportunities for sustainable tourism in northern Iloilo while in Antique and Aklan, it anchors its campaign on sustainable tourism development for northern Panay.